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Friday, March 8, 2013

I was off fairly early this morning to head for Kingsland to stock up the larder to feed four extra people each day this weekend. It was like grocery shopping in the old days for me. Robyn called to let me know that they would be arriving mid afternoon. So, along about 2:30, I headed for Okefenokee Pastimes where I had made a reservation for them for a cabin. They arrived shortly afterward, and I took the grandgirls for a little walk around the campground while Robyn and Dennis took care of the paper work. It was one of my better ideas as the girls had been cooped up in the car for two days as they made their way from northwestern Indiana. How much energy do a three and a five year old have? About the same amount as Emma does.

Eventually we came back to the rig, and the girls were very excited to see Emma the ‘Gog’. As usual, she went berserk at first, but then calmed down.

Hard to believe, I know, but the wild child calms down more easily with the grandgirls than anyone else on earth. Here Avery has Emma sitting to get a raisin. Avery thought Emma looked hungry and wanted to eat one.

Of course, I thought the grandgirls could help fill up the holes in the sand that Emma is digging to China. Ha!

Seems to me, they may be making the hole bigger! Guess the child labor law people won’t be after me after all.

It’s great having family around for a change, and I thank Robyn for capturing these shots with my camera while Grandma was getting supper ready. It gave me a chance to have the itsy bitsy spider crawl up Phoebe’s (Buckles’) back. (For long time readers, you know that I am Belt and Phoebe is Buckle.)

I did get a call from the National Elk Refuge today. I thought I’d find out if I’ll be going there or not this summer. It was not to be today. The call was to further verify whether or not we are a good match. As before, I was honest and said I was not interested in working four days a week in the visitors center. It’s a wonderful location, but I just know I’d be frustrated if that was my only duty. The volunteer coordinator will get back to me next week after she checks with her supervisor to see if a more varied work assignment might be possible. After almost seven years volunteering with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, I know what I’m willing to do and what I’m not. After all is said and done, I am retired and don’t want to spend all my volunteer time indoors. That’s just the way it is.

Gorgeous pics. I love the first one of Emma with the two girls. Robyn's pics are of the same standard as yours. She must inherited your talent. Not too raisins for Emma or she will be visiting the vet! But very nice of the little one to share a treat.

Your Grands are getting big and prettier as they go along, It is the best of time when you have the Grands with you. Rigg's is Like Emma , he is all excited when the kid's come over and then he is the Gentle Ben he always is. He does the same thing with the kid's behind us. if they are out he charges to the back of the yard, then the next thing you know you have a pile of kid's and dog rolling in the yard. Hope your hip is okay. be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

Those little girls are gonna be heart breakers, Grama...They are simply adorable...Love the pictures and looking forward to seeing more of your family in the next few days! The Elk Refuge WOULD be amiss not to let you be in your element, giving tours OUTSIDE!! Your knowledge is soooo vast in that area and if they don't know that, find another great spot out West....Have fun, Grama Belt!

Such cute grandchildren, sure have grown since last pics. NER's loss if they don't take advantage of your knowledge. Reminds me of my daughter, lit teacher volunteering at her children's school & they gave her sheets to cut out & other mundane, busy work. I know those things need to be done, but they finally realised she could help small groups learn comprehension & phonics, to help them catch up. She now volunteers 2 days a week & actually has children from every class in the school in her sessions. Light bulbs are going off in children & hopefully the teaching staff! Stick to your guns, it's your time to enjoy what you want to do! Or do you have to come in as an employee instead of a volunteer, lots of contractors out there doing just that!

Looks like you have a fantastic weekend in store for you and Emma the gog. The girls are adorable and will have so much fun with their grandma. Hope the northern place is smart enough to work with you. There can't be many volunteers with the kind of background and experience you have.

It is amazing to me what dogs and other animals will do for kids that they won't do for adults. I have seen that with our horses. They always seemed to know when the little ones were on their backs and would take it so much easier. A very special instinct. Your granddaughters are just precious, love you names Belt and Buckle.

YOur granddaughters are about the same ages as our in MD are. Ours are 3 and 6. Delightful ages. How nice that you found a place nearby for your precious family to stay. Now, don't you go wearing them out.

As a;ways, I so enjoyed the photos of your little granddaughters. They are just adorable. Sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock and have my "little" granddaughters back again, but then I remember how much I enjoy them at every age. It just all passes too quickly. Like the old song says...Turn around and they're tiny, turn around and they're grown... Enjoy every moment.

Great fun with the girls. I'm happy they are visiting with you.I understand how you feel about being indoors all summer. You think they might be happy to have someone who is willing to do more than one job. Good luck.

Thought I'd let you know we are heading out to Hawaii in a couple of days. We arrive in Honolulu Thursday morning to be exact. I've set up a separate Blog called Hawaii 2013 which you can find here http://matarangigirl.blogspot.co.nz/ should you want to follow this New Zealand couple abroad. Most of our time in Hawaii will be on Big Island including a few days on a coffee plantation.